Heated, Unaired Interview With Tucker Carlson Leaks

Tucker Carlson poses for photos in a Fox News Channel studio in New York in 2107. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

(Newser)
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It would have been quite the interview had it aired. As it is, a testy exchange between Tucker Carlson of Fox News and Dutch historian Rutger Bregman is making headlines nonetheless—because Bregman recorded it himself and leaked it to the media outlet Now This. How testy? At one point, Carlson says, "Why don't you go f--- yourself, you tiny brain. ... You're a moron. I tried to give you a hearing but you were too f---ing annoying." The details:

Who is Bregman? The historian first came to the world's attention last month in an appearance at the Davos economic summit, reports the Guardian. Among other things, he railed against the hypocrisy of the world's elites traveling first class to the summit to hear about environmental dangers.

A viral rant: This clip from Davos went viral. Bregman complains that nobody at the summit is talking about taxes and the ways rich people avoid paying them: "It feels like I'm at a firefighters' conference and no one's allowed to speak about water."

Friendly invite: Carlson invited Bregman on as a guest to his show, ostensibly so they could join together in railing against global elites, writes Erik Wemple of the Washington Post. And indeed, the interview begins with Carlson lavishing praise on Bregman for his Davos comments. But Bregman unexpectedly turns the tables. (Watch it here. Vox has the transcript of the early exchange.)